Door frame construction



May 1937- F. F. BEIL 51 K11 2,080,555

DOOR FRAME CONSTRUCTION Filed Jan. 6, 1936 SSheets-Sheet 1 mm WW y 1937. F. F. BEIL ET AL 2,080,555

DOOR FRAME CONS TRUCTION Filed Jan. 6, 1956 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 Patented May 18, 1937 UNITED STATES assets) DOOR, FRAME CGNSTRUCTIQN Forrest F. Boil and Earl E. Green, Clinton, Iowa, assignors to George L. Curtis, Eugene J. Curtis, and Charles A. Armstrong, Clinton, Iowa Application January 6, 1936, Serial No. 57,792

12 Claims.

An object of our invention is to provide an improvement in the design and arrangement of parts constituting a door frame construction, the improvement involving parts of comparatively simple design, which facilitate assembly of a door frame, especially an entrance door frame, of ornamental construction.

Another object is to provide a construction so designed that a large number of different entrances can be assembled from a minimum number of standardized parts.

A further object is to so arrange the standardized parts that doors of different sizes can ,be fitted into an assembled entrance frame.

A further object is to provide different designs of door entrance casing parts, such as various designs of pilasters, architraves and caps, which can be assembled for several different sizes of doors without changing to different sizes of pilasters, architraves and caps.

A still further object is to make a frame of standardized parts which is adaptable to wall structures of different types andthicknesses, a sub-jamb of the necessary width being provided to accomplish this object, in cases where the wall is of greater thickness than the width of the jamb will accommodate.

Another object is to provide for making up door entrances of various dimensions from a minimum number of parts in stock, and thus do away with the expensive method heretofore used in making up entrances to order in small quantities, and consequently at high cost to meet the varying and multitudinous demands of builders.

One of our principal objects, therefore, is to provide the building industry with an improved entrance frame, the parts of which can be machined and prefabricated in large quantities of like parts, so that the cost of production can be reduced and the selling price to builders reduced,

thus resulting in an increase in sales, whereby production can further be increased and still lower cost obtained.

A further object is to provide a door frame construction including side and head architraves of substantial width, which are overlapped by pilasters and a cap, the degree of overlapping being variable so that with a pair of pilasters and a cap of one length, a number of different sizes of door openings can be formed as desired, the pilasters having separable base members whereby the lower ends of the pilasters can be cut off on the job and the base members then applied to finish out the ornamental appearance of the pilasters. A still further object is to provide parts of a door frame so constructed that a minimum of cutting and fitting is required to utilize the parts for different sizes of door openings.

With these and other objects in view, our invention consists in the construction, arrangement and combination of the various parts of the device, whereby the objects contemplated are attained, as hereinafter more fully set forth, pointed out in our claims, and illustrated in the accompanying drawings, in which: 7

Fig. 1 is a front elevation of a door frame embodying our invention and showing a door mounted therein.

Figures 2 and 3 are similar front elevations showing respectively a shorter and narrower door and a still shorter and wider door.

Figure 4 is an enlarged sectional view on the line l--4 of Figure 1, showing the construction at the head jamb.

Figure 5 is an enlarged sectional View on the line 55 of Figure 1, showing the construction at the sill.

Figure 6 is an enlarged sectional ,view onthe line 66 of Figure 3, showing the construction of' the side jamb. I

Figure 7 is an exploded view of partsof the door frame construction, the parts being shown in front elevation except as'indicated otherwise hereinafter in the specification.

Figure 8 is a sectional view on the line 8-8 of Figure 3, showing the extension of a casing mem-' her in the door frame to a position behind the cap.

Figure 9 is a sectional View similar to a portion of Figure 4 showing the use of an extension or sub-head jamb to accommodate a wall of greater thickness.

Figure 10 is a sectional View similar to a portion of Figure 6, showing a similar extension or sub-jamb for the side of the frame; and

Figure 11 is a front elevation of a door frame embodying my invention showing the parts assembled for minimum door width and illustrating in dotted lines the relative positions of these parts for two other widths of door openings.

On'the accompanying drawings, we have used the reference numeral iii to indicate a door sill. Side jambs are indicated at [2, and a head jamb at M. The parts of the door frame construction include side architraves Iii, a head architrav I8, pilasters 2B and a cap 22.

Base mould members 24 are provided for the lower ends of the pilasters 20, and the pilasters are usually provided with casing members 26 to overlap the walls. At 28 we illustrate an apron for depending from the sill. In Figure '7 the sill I0 is shown in top plan view, the side jambs I2 being shown in elevation as viewed from the center of the door frame, and the head jamb I4 is shown in bottom plan view.

The side jambs I 2 are dadoed at their lower ends as indicated at 30 to receive the ends of the sill ID. The head jamb l4 has each end dadoed at 32 to receive the upper ends of the side jambs l2. The sill I0 and head jamb I4 are supplied of the proper width for the door opening, but the height of the door opening can be varied by cutting off the upper ends of the side jambs at 34 or 36, depending on the height of the door to which the frame is to be adapted. The side architraves I6 are also adapted for being cut off at 38 or 40 to properly fitthe side architraves to the side jambs.

The pilasters 20 are also adapted for cutting off at 42 or 44, while the casing members 26 are adapted for cutting oif at 46 or 48 to correspond with the lengths of the side ar'chitraves I6. The cap 22 is finished in one length and overlaps the upper edge of the head architrave Hi, the pilasters 20 overlapping the outer edges of the side architraves Hi.

In order to provide uniformity in the appearance of the entrance, the head architrave must project downwardly from the cap the same distance that the side a-rch-itraves project inwardly from the pilasters. One end of the head architravecan be cut as indicated at 50, 52or 54, to thus fit the width of the door opening determined by the lengths of the sill I0 andhead janib H. The cuts from 36 to- 54 are all performed on the job, the parts I0, 28, I4, and 22 beingfinished of proper length.

By the use of the foregoing described parts, we are able to provide for a great number of different door widths, and heights, which is best illustrated in Figures 1, 2, 3 and 11. In Figure 1 we illustrate the greatest height provided by the pilasters 20 in their original length, and for an intermediate width by projecting the head architraves "3 to an intermediate position as shown. in Figures 1 and 4.

In Figure 3 we show the head architrave in the minimum projected position, and in Figure 2 to the maximum projecting'position, thus reducingthe height of the door considerably relative to the pilasters.

In Figure 2 we show the pilasters cut at 42,

while in Figure 3 we show them cut at 44 (see Fig.

'7),-thus accommodating an intermediate and a short height of door respectively. I

Obviously with three difierent widths and three different heights possible with one set of frame members, nine different sizes of doors can be accommodated, whereas formerly each size of door had to be produced individually with the,

parts out to the proper length for the size of door to fit in the frame being ordered.

Although'we have illustrated merely three different widths andheights, it is obvious that a ,great number of different widths and heights within the'range of the particular set of frame parts supplied is procurable.

In Figure 11 we have shown somewhat diagrammatically how the architraves l6 and [8 may be varied in position relative to the pilasters 20' and the cap 22 to secure three different widths of door openings, retaining the same heights of openings. ing figures have been omitted from this figure to avoid confusion in the showing of dotted posi- Surface contour lines of the precedtions. In full lines the minimum width opening is illustrated, and it will be noted that the side architraves I'B project the same distance from the pilasters 20 that the head architrave projects from the cap 22. The head architrave for the minimum width (full line) position is cut at the line 54 in Figure 7.

To secure an intermediate width of opening, the side architraves are moved outwardly to the position indicated at l6a by dash lines. The head architrave l8 must similarly be moved upwardly to the position at l8a to project the same distance from the head architrave that the side architraves do from the pilasters. For this position the head architrave is cut at the line 52. Similarly the dotted positions at I61) and I80 are assumed by the architraves for a still wider door opening, the head architrave being cut on the line 50 for this purpose.

Since the side architraves l6 are made for a door opening of given height, the height of this opening will remain the same in the three illustrated positions of the arohitraves but the width will vary. For making shorter door openings,.

the side architraves can be cut at 38 or 40, and the pilasters at 42 or 44, the casing members 26 being correspondingly cut at 46 or 48.

By providing the base member 24 as a separable part, the bottom ends of the pilasters can be cut oif square without any necessity for intricate fitting or reforming the pilaster base or the like. Our construction also provides for cutting oflf the lower ends of the side architraves and the upper ends of the side jambs squarely,

the only mitered joint being necessary being the one at 50, 52 or 54 on the head a'rchitrave.

In Figure 4 the head architrave is projected to an intermediate position. This intermediate position for the side architrave is shown by dot ted lines in Figure 6, the solid line showing' be-f ing for the minimum projection, and the dash line showing for the maximum projection. .It is obvious that by providing the architravesbi-sub stantial width, such variation is permissible, more or less projection merely resulting in less or. more space indicated at 56 and58 in Figures 6 and 4 respectively. 7 A p The side architraves l6 are applied to the outer edges of the side jambs I2, as shown in Figure 6,

for a wall 60 of minimum thickness. The head architrave is positioned against the wall, and the,

cap 22 against the head architrave as in Figure 4, a filler block 62 being used to space the upper edge of the cap, whereas the casing member 26, shown in Figure 6, accomplishes a similar purpose for the pilaster. I

Where a wall construction is thicker, such, as a masonry wall 64, as shown in Figures 8 and 10,

a. sub or extension side jamb 66 and a sub or extension head jamb 68 are used. These may vary in width, wider ones being used forthicker walls and vice versa. These arepreferably provided: with tongues 10, which fit into grooves 12 in the outer edges of the jambs l2 and H, to provide a weather-tight connection'at this point-The architraves are then applied to the outer edges of the sub-jams. V 1 V By the use of our door frame construction a great numberof different sizes of door openings. can be provided with one set of frame parts. The only variation in appearance of the various illustrated, some of which, in the minimum extension of the architraves, are concealed, but which are apparent when the architraves are extended so that in any extended position of the architraves relative to the pilasters and cap, the ornamental appearance of the door frame is not detracted from.

The side casings 26, it will be noted, extend beyond the upper ends of the pilasters in Figure '7. In Figure 8 these are shown extending up behind the ends of the cap, thus providing additional engaging surfaces to be nailed together for effectively securing the cap relative to other frame parts.

The inside of the door opening may be trimmed in any of the usual methods, comprising interior trim such as indicated at M, plaster returns or the like.

Although we have shown one ornamental type of pilaster and cap, it is obvious that pilasters and caps can be made in other shapes or contours, and other changes also may be made without departing from the real spirit of our invention, and it is our intention to cover by our claims, any modified forms of structure or use of mechanical equivalents, which may be reasonably included within their scope.

We claim as our invention:

1. In a door frame construction for a wall, a pair of side jambs dadoed at their lower ends for a sill, a sill for said lower ends, a head jamb for the upper ends of said side jambs, a pair of side architraves and a head architrave for extension in the plane of the wall from said side jambs and head jamb respectively, a pair of pilasters overlapping the outer edges of said side architraves and spaced from the wall to accommodate interposition of said side architraves between the wall and said pilasters, and a cap overlapping the upper edge of said head architrave and likewise spaced from the wall to accommodate interposition of said head architrave between the wall and said cap, said side and head architraves being of substantial Width to project to greater or less degree from said pilasters and cap to accommodate doors of smaller or larger dimensions and fillers between the outer edges of said pilasters and said wall and between the upper edge of said cap and said wall.

2. In a door frame construction for a wall, a pair of side jambs dadoed at their lower ends for a sill, a sill for said lower ends, a head jamb for the upper ends of said side jambs, a pair of side architraves, a head architrave for extension in the plane of the wall from said side jambs and head jamb respectively, a pair of pilasters spaced from the face of said wall and overlapping the outer edges of said architraves, a separable base for each of said pilasters, and a cap spaced from the face of said wall and overlapping the upper edge of said architraves, said side and head architraves being of substantial width to project to greater or less degree from said pilasters and cap to accommodate doors of smaller or larger dimensions, the upper ends of said side jambs and the lower ends of said pilasters being adapted to be cut off to drop said head architrave to cause projection thereof from said cap to correspond to the projection of said side architraves from said pilasters, at least one end of said head architrave being adapted to be cut off to permit said side architraves to project from said pilasters to a position corresponding to the projection of said head architrave from said cap.

3. In a door frame construction for a wall, a pair of side jambs, a sill for the lower ends thereof, a head jamb for the upper ends thereof, side and head sub-jambs projecting from said side and head jambs to accommodate a thicker wall than is permissible by the width of said side and head jambs, a pair of side architraves and a head architrave for extension outwardly from said sub-jambs over the surface of the Wall, a pair of pilasters spaced from the wall and overlapping the outer edges of said side architraves, and a cap spaced from the wall and overlapping the upper edge of said head architrave, said architraves being of substantial width to project to greater or less degree from said pilasters and cap to accommodate doors of smaller or larger dimensions.

4. In a door frame construction for a wall, a pair of side jambs, a sill, a head jamb, a pair of side architraves and a head architrave, said architraves extending in the plane and over the face of the wall from said side and head jambs respectively, a pair of pilasters spaced from the wall and overlapping the outer edges of said side architraves and a cap across the upper ends of said pilasters and overlapping the upper edge of said head architrave, said side and head architraves being of substantial width to project to greater or less degree from said pilasters and cap to accommodate doors of smaller or larger dimensions.

5. For use in a wall, a door frame construction comprising jambs, architraves, and ornamental members spaced from the wall and overlying the architraves at the sides and top of said door frame, the door opening defined-by said jambs being selectively variable by relative re-arrangement in the spacing and by shortening of said jambs and architraves.

6. In an ornamental door frame construction for a wall and adapted for different sizes of doors, a plurality of frame members comprising a cap, pilasters, head and side jambs and architraves having joint relationship therewith, said architraves being movable relative to said cap, pilasters and wall, and being located between said cap and the Wall and between said pilasters and the wall to define door openings of various dimensions with the use of one set of caps, pilasters, head jambs, side jambs and architraves.

7. In an ornamental door frame construction for a wall and adapted for different sizes of doors, a plurality of frame members comprising a cap, pilasters, head and side jambs and architraves having joint relationship therewith, said architraves being relatively adjustable along said jambs by sliding between the wall and said caps and pilasters to define door openings of various dimensions with the use of one set of caps, pilasters, head jambs and side jambs and architraves, and sub-jambs for effecting increase in width of said jambs to provide for thicker wall constructions.

8. An ornamental frame construction adapted for mounting in a wall including a side jamb, an architrave, and a pilaster, said architrave being adapted at one edge for assembly with said jamb, and at the other edge for selective relative spacing and assembly relative to said pilaster in a position interposed between the pilaster and a face of the wall in which the frame is mounted.

9, An ornamental frame construction adapted for mounting in a wall including a head jamb, an architrave and a cap, said architrave being in a position interposed between the 'cap and a face of the wall in which the frame is mounted, one edge of said architrave 'being assembled against the edge of a jamb and its other edge being movable relative to said cap "and wall.

10. For use in connection with a wall, a door frame construction comprising a pair of side jambs, side architraves applied to the outer edges thereof and overlapping the face of said wall, spaced pilasters, said arohitraves being located between said pilasters and said wall and movable relative thereto to define varying widths of door openings. g

11. For use in a wall, a door frame construction comprising side and head jambs, side and head architravesextending from the edges thereof and overlapping the face of said wall, spaced pilasters and a cap member; said architraves being located between said pilasters and said wall and movable relative thereto and between said cap and said wall and, movable relative thereto to define varying widths and'heights of door openings.

12. For use in a wall, a door frame construction comprising lambs, architraves overlapping the wall sheathing and ornamental members overlying the architraves and the wall at the sides and top of said architraves and having joint relationship therewith, said jambs and architraves being movable relative to said wall sheathing and relative to said ornamental members to vary the dimensions of door openings defined by the jambs, and sub-jambs interposed between the inner edges 01 said architraves and edges of said jambs.

EARL E. GREEN. FORREST F. BEIL. 

